MERTHYR TYDFIL hope to move a step closer to a coveted top-13 place today - six days before the shake-up of non-league football is expected to clear the last hurdle.

Next Thursday and Friday the FA face what looks like being the final legal challenge from the Ryman League's management committee to its plans to restructure the pyramid.

As far as the Dr Martens Premier League is concerned, the shake up would mean teams who finish in the top 13 would qualify for a place in the second tier of the Conference. And that will trigger a scramble for places among trailing clubs such as Merthyr, currently seven points short of the cut-off zone.

Having squandered chances to collect three points in last week's 1-1 draw at Eastbourne, the Martyrs will hope to enhance their prospects at home to Stafford Rangers while Newport's game at Weston-Super-Mare has been called off.